Truth78 is excited to launch our new website (Truth78.org) next week. Our new site was created to serve you as we partner together to equip the next generations to know, honor, and treasure God.(more…)

It is such a privilege to labor with you in a common vision, a vision we cannot fully accomplish on our own. Only God can bring about this vision for the next generations because only God can reach the heart.

Our vision is that the next generations know, honor, and treasure God, setting their hope in Christ alone, so that they will live as faithful disciples for the glory of God.

Honestly, this is what I love most about Children Desiring God…being dependent on God to accomplish this vision. No one is more capable than God to bring about His purposes.

We are not, however, on the sidelines watching. We are in the game. God has called us to a particular mission…this is what we are joyfully giving ourselves to.

Our mission is to nurture the faith of the next generations by equipping the church and home with resources and training that instruct the mind, engage the heart, and influence the will through proclaiming the whole counsel of God.

Free Translation and Distribution to the World

Financial Assistance

We have committed to doing all we can to keep cost from preventing a church or individual from accessing and using to our resources.

This year alone we’ve assisted 87 ministries,Reaching 8,276 children and youth (actually more than that, but we just started keeping track of this number in May 2017),Who live in 25 different countries,With more than $31,000 in resources donated so far in 2017.

Your donation will help underwrite the ongoing cost of these ministry initiatives.

Thank you for considering this request, and for your prayers that the next generations will “set their hope in God” (Psalm 78:7).

We are excited to be sharing the content from our 2016 National Conference. Check back next Wednesday to view the final plenary session (along with discussion questions and action steps) to help you better understand how to persevere in teaching the whole counsel of God to the next generation.

What must take place in order for children to know that the Bible is true, and for them to believe the whole counsel of God? John Piper, seeking to answer that question, begins his message by defining what the whole counsel of God is.

He notes that Paul was so consumed by his responsibility to declare the whole counsel of God, that at the end of his ministry he could say with confidence to the Ephesian elders, “I am innocent of the blood of all” (Acts 20:26).

Yet the declaration of the whole does not ensure that it will be embraced. Many saw but did not “see.” They saw with their physical eyes…but did not see with the eyes of their heart. What they should have seen…and what they were to see and we are to see is a “peculiar glory.” A peculiar glory that was and is revealed in…

the creation.

the incarnation.

the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Piper explains why the Bible is self-authenticating in each of these areas. And when the miracle of new birth happens, whether for children or adults, they will say, “I cannot not believe that God did not make that.”

Dr. Piper also made four observations/encouragements for those who influence the next generation:

Children begin believing the Bible because their parents believe the Bible.

Build as much Bible into them as you can.

At some point, God moves in His elect children to open their eyes, by a supernatural power, and their hearts perceive a peculiar glory of God.

As they mature, they have a growing capacity to see and savor Christ, and we have a great responsibility to connect them with the astonishing, peculiar glory.

Questions for Reflection

How did Dr. Piper define the whole counsel of God?

Do you agree with his argument that as interesting and helpful as apologetics can be, there has to be something more at the root of belief then answers to questions?

If only by a miracle we see with the eyes of our heart, what role does the whole counsel of God play in the miracle?

Regarding the ministry to children in our churches and home, is there a shift away from teaching the whole counsel of God? If so, why do you think so? If not, what evidence would you offer?

Discuss this quote from Jonathan Edwards: “Unless men can may come to a reasonable solid, persuasion and conviction of the truth of the gospel by the internal evidences of it mainly, by a sight of its glory, tis impossible that those who are illiterate and unacquainted with history should have any thorough or effectual conviction of it at all.” How does this encourage you in your ministry to children?

Dr. Piper ended his message by saying this about children: “If they see the glory…they cannot not believe. So, what are practical ways in which we can help our children see the ‘peculiar glory’?”

We are excited to be sharing the content from our 2016 National Conference. Check back each Wednesday to view a new plenary session (along with discussion questions and action steps) to help you better understand how to persevere in teaching the whole counsel of God to the next generation.

In this message, Dr. Albert Mohler connects our need as parents to “hold fast to the whole counsel of God under pressure to conform,” to the experience of the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land.

In Deuteronomy, Moses gave his last address to God’s chosen people. He addressed a generation that had not lived under the cruelties of Egypt, nor experienced their culture. Now on the brink of the Promise land, Moses knew what was at stake for them and their children. Would they default to and become like the dominate Canaanite culture, or would they hold fast, choose to follow God, and experience the blessings and favor He gives to His children? Dr. Mohler, teaching from Deuteronomy 6, uses three words to encourage and challenge Christian parents and children’s ministry workers on the importance of 1) teaching the whole doctrine of God, and instructing with 2) discipline and 3) diligence to battle against the pressure that we and our children will face to conform to the culture of the day.

Questions for Reflection

How would you compare the culture of the Canaanites to the culture of our day?

Why did Dr. Mohler emphasize the need for teaching specific doctrine?

Discuss Dr. Mohler’s quote, “We have to make sure they [our children] find themselves in the storyline of Scripture, knowing themselves in that story, otherwise they are going to be in some other story.” As a follow-up to this question, in what ways could you help your children see themselves in the story of the Exodus?

Dr. Mohler, after making the point that the cultural pressure to conform is not new, said, “Christian parents have had to be faithful in whatever culture we’ve lived in. It is so pervasive, they exaggerate the newness but underestimate the urgency.” Have you fallen prey to the newness, or have you underestimated the urgency to teach your children the whole counsel of God? If so, what practical steps could you take?

Dr. Mohler, in reference the “whole” counsel of God said, “no one is upset with the Golden Rule…It’s the word whole that is a big problem.” What cultural norms or trends are increasingly in conflict with Scripture?

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings… (Daniel 2:21a)

We mark time predominantly in God’s good design of years. This is why, when a year comes to a close, individuals and organizations often look back in a time of reflection. What were our goals for the year? Were they realized? What unexpected events played a major role in the year’s outcome? Was I faithful to influence these outcomes?

It is good for us reflect on questions such as these and recognize that it is God Himself who changes times and seasons. He establishes and removes earthly rulers…God is in control of all things, and He works in us, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

God’s Work for CDG in 2015One of many ways God worked for CDG this past year was in the establishment of a new nonprofit. Since 1997, CDG has functioned as a division of Desiring God. But in late October, we received notice from the IRS that our application to be an independent tax-exempt nonprofit was approved! Although we are just now announcing this transition, it has been in the works for years. Much time over the last 12 months was spent preparing for this change. On December 2, the Desiring God Board of Directors approved the final steps for CDG to move to a new 501c3 nonprofit organization. For now, we will continue to be called Children Desiring God.

At the December meeting, John Piper expressed his passion for the vision we share for the next generation and the importance of CDG’s work. He reiterated that this transition does not reflect a desire to distance Desiring God from CDG. Rather, these are necessary steps to see CDG flourish in its Gospel mission for the next 50 years.

We want millions of the next generation to know and cherish Jesus Christ as the only One who can save and satisfy their soul. Our calling is to produce God-centered, Bible-saturated, Christ-exalting resources to equip parents and churches as they instruct the mind, engage the heart, and nurture the faith of the next generation.

This organizational change allows us to form relationships with individuals who share a passion for the next generation and want to partner together to reach millions of the next generation. As we express our core values of passionate spreading and radical generosity, we acknowledge that this is made possible through partnerships with those who share our vision for the next generation.

Here are just two examples of reaching the next generation that flow from these core values:

In the coming new year, we will continue to share more of these stories with you. We believe that you will be excited to hear about what God is doing around the world through the use of CDG resources. And, we would welcome your partnership in this mission of radical generosity in order to spread this vision. Please prayerfully consider becoming a Next Generation Partner by joining us in prayer and, if you are able, in financial partnership. Visit our Next Generation Partner page, or contact me directly to learn more.

As Executive Director of Children Desiring God, I am pleased to announce that David Michael will be joining our staff in a new role as Director for Vision and Spreading. David will lead the strategic efforts to share the vision of Children Desiring God—the biblical vision for God-centered ministry to children and their parents, which is rooted in the teaching of Psalm 78:4-7:

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children, that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments.

David will focus his efforts on sharing this vision at regional events, expanding the Children Desiring God network and supporting pastors who are implementing God-centered ministry in their local churches.

“I am excited to lead these strategic, vision-casting efforts centered on spreading a biblical vision for God-centered ministry,” David said. “My greatest hope is that the next generation will put their confidence in God.”

We believe God has provided a unique season of opportunity to advance the vision of Children Desiring God. After 27 years of pastoral ministry at Bethlehem Baptist Church, the Lord has opened a new door for David to pursue wholehearted service at Children Desiring God. In addition to his vision spreading efforts, David will continue in his role as President of Children Desiring God.

On behalf of Children Desiring God, we are thankful for God’s providential redirection of David’s ministry and we eagerly anticipate what the Lord will do through him! Please take a few moments to find out more about our new vision-casting plans and to learn how you can partner with us through your prayers.

It is with joy that we thank God for the faithful ministry of a longtime Children Desiring God employee and send him off with a blessing as he moves into a new phase of life and ministry.

For 13 years Jim Tomaszewski has anchored our customer service efforts.

Some of you may know Jim through phone conversations as he answered your questions about Sunday School curriculum, how to teach biblical truth to children or what it means to have a God-centered vision for ministry. He probably asked you a few insightful questions, too, and most likely prayed for you as you navigated the waters of children’s ministry and parenting.

Jim loves children and is a very gifted teacher. His experience leading small group and helping guide and direct application has helped many children apply the truth of God’s Word to their own lives.

We admire the fact that he is a man who applies Scripture to his own life as well!

Jim is also a gifted trainer and has spoken at a number of events through the years. His passion to spread a vision for God-centered ministry and to equip whose who are implementing the vision in their own churches has allowed Jim to impact the lives of thousands of our ministry partners.

We’ve all been blessed by Jim’s thoughtfulness, strengthened by his encouragement, and challenged to think deeply because he asks the tough questions. And we dare not neglect to mention how his humor and joyful service has lifted our spirits! Children Desiring God is thankful to God for His faithfulness to Jim and his family.

We pray this blessing from Psalm 125:1-2 as Jim moves into the next phase of his life and ministry:

Jim, may you continue to be one who trusts in the Lord, who like Mount Zion cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, may the Lord surround you from this time forth and forevermore.

Jim, we love you!

If you’ve been blessed by Jim in some way, please feel free to leave a comment for him!

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But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved The post Ephesians 2:4-5 appeared first on Fighter Verses.